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Chris Bratton -

Chris Bratton

Phone: 803-645-6291

Birth Fee: $300 to $800

Fee Details: My fees are based upon income. However, insurance now covers Doulas. My preference is to be paid in full and the client submit insurance claim to be reimbursed. I am flexible for families with low income. If a couple and myself are considering working together, I require a consult in my office. References will be provided. I answer any and all questions you and your partner will have, and also take time to discuss your level of education when it pertains to childbirth and how much you know. Many women view labor as frightening, and it doesn't have to be this way. Once we talk, and you and your partner realize that during the normal physiological process, much of labor and birth happen from the "neck up" - you've already come a long way, baby!

Birth Doula Experience: 20 years and 162 births attended

Doula Training

Not Specified

Type of Practice: Solo practice

Clients per Month: 4 to 6

Attends hospital births? All HospitalsI am available to work in GA and SC within a 2-3 hour radius of Augusta GA/Aiken SC. I am available for high risk cases such as twins, and vaginal birth after cesarean. I am also available as a Post Partum doula. Attends birth center births? All Birth CentersAttends home births? Any Home Birth

Special Services Offered

Relevant volunteer or advocacy work

Uganda trip in 2011, serving women at Mbarra Hospital, Uganda. Working with four other students I presided over 40-60 births and delivered over 30 as a DEM.
Worked as a staff doula on call for one year 2013-2014 at Lexington Medical Center, excellent references and every one of my evaluations from clients were a &quot;5&quot;, which is the highest evaluation. In addition all evaluations from L&amp;D Nurses and Ob&#39;s were excellent.

Languages spoken: English

Service Area Map

Area of practice: Aiken, SCTravel Range: 100 MilesTravel comments/restrictions: 3 hour radius/WILL travel out of state if airfare paid.

Client Testimonials for Chris Bratton

Red Maxwell

Hello All! I just wanted to put my opinion out there! Chris Bratton is the most amazing Doula I have ever had! She is also my Mother, you would think being a mother and a Doula at the same time would be difficult, but no my Mom has what I call Doula mode ! My second birth she supported me all through the birth ( five hectic hours) I had a lot of ppl in the room with me a lot of support through the intense contractions Chris breathed with me she hummed with me and she even kept all 6 ppl dead silent when I needed to concentrate through my transition ! Chris kept me level headed and when the pushing came she helped me jump into the tub for my water birth. AND she beautifully helped me deliver ! My Midwife didn't get there in time and as I was trying not to bite the birthing tub and trying to breathe through the pressure she slapped on some gloves and said " We are doing this"! She delivered my daughter and lectured me about cussing, lol. With my third baby, my son, my Husband was there and Chris I NEEDED her there as my Doula ! She let my Husband soothe me and calmly sat back and watched all my labor signs, helped my Husband take care of me ! She also kept the Midwife and nurses (hospital birth ) at bay! She helped me keep my birth plan intact !!!! At the end during pushing she saved me ! I was seeing stars and thought I was going to pass out but she quickly stuck a cold compress on my neck and I was able to deliver my son! I love my mom and I loved having her as my Doula! I highly recommend her ! She is a Mother a friend confidant and a wonderful Doula! If you are looking for support and experience plus no fear .... That's Chris! One on One labor support ! Thanks for the share !

Posted 2/19/2016

Bailey Brown

I gave birth via c section to twin boys on 1/22/16. I'm a repeat client of Chris, I loved her being there with the birth of my daughter (vaginal birth). This time was a little different but, I'm so glad we made the choice to have her there with us. She helped calm my nerves about going into surgery, kept me educated in what was going on and made sure I understood all my choices. In the OR she took many pictures and held my hand while my husband was seeing the babies. She also filled me in on what the Dr was doing the whole surgery and made sure I was not feeling any pain or sick in the process. We still keep in contact and have since I gave birth to my first child. She is always willing to help in any way she can! She is definitely a blessing in our lives and I would recommend her to anyone who needs the support (even if you don't) give her a chance anyway she is AWESOME! I absolutely love having her as a doula and friend!

Posted 2/18/2016

Rachel Woods

Christal was my doula when I was pregnant with my first son in 2013. I had no idea what I was doing then or what to expect. She came in the room started coaching me and I immediately felt safe and trusted her. We got along so well, she treated me like I was her child. As soon as I found out I was pregnant again I asked her to be my doula. She happily accepted, I couldn't wait to have her along side me. She is a solid rock that always encouraged me when I was giving up. From the very minute my water broke she stayed positive when I wasn't. I thought for sure I'd have this birth taken from me too but she was determind to make sure I stayed positive and didn't think awful things. She knows just what I need to hear when I needed to hear it. Even when I gave up and wanted to give in, she never stopped encouraging me. when everything in me was in pain she was there reminding me to "let it hurt" because that's what's supposed to happen. I love her and I wouldn't have got my healing birth if she wasn't there. She's so amazing and loving and I'm so thankful she's My doula. She's like a third mother to me and I hope my boys see how much she means to me and their father. Thank you for being incredible Christal. Don't change.

Posted 6/5/2015

Suzanne Ware

I met Christal in my 2nd trimester when I attended a class she was teaching for new parents. At that time I didn’t even know what doulas were or what services they offered. I also didn't know that I could birth at home. Christal talked with myself and my family several times throughout my pregnancy. She took me to all my appointments and even helped me to find a midwife and let me have my baby at her house. She came a part of my family and welcomed all of my family to her home and made us at home during my laboring experience. Having a homebirth with an excellent doula was a great experience and I wish I had that experience with my first. I have been able to help with my family and friends who could not for some reason have a doula and advocated for these women during their times because of how Christal helped me and what she taught me about what a beautiful labor and birth experience is supposed to be like. My daughter is now 17.5 years old and is expecting her baby and Christal will be with her during her process. I recommend all pregnant women have a doula when they can and I definitely recommend Christal as a wonderful doula to advocate for the mom-to-be.

Posted 2/25/2015

Tiffany Bertolacci

Chris was very helpful to me during my childbirth experience. She sat behind me and supported me with her body while I transitioned and needed help with relaxing. When I needed help with cleaning up afterwards, she was there to help. When I had difficulty with some tight tissues that prevented me from delivering my daughter, Chris helped me to relax. I'm so grateful that Chris was there!

Posted 2/17/2015

Jennifer Dyches Gatch

I have had the pleasure of working with Chris for about a year and she has become my back-up doula for private clients. We first met as on-site Doulas at a local hospital, however she had to stop due to some personal committments, but continues to private doula and has been considering (possibly has started now) midwifery school. She has worked with a midwife in another county (sorry but I cannot remember exactly where).

Chris is a beautiful woman who has experience and guides women on their journey of labour and birth. I highly recommend Chris as a birth as well as post partum doula.

Thanks!

Jennifer Dyches CD(DONA)

Posted 2/4/2015

Marissa Kenney

Chris was wonderful and very professional in helping us during the birth of our first daughter. Although my daughter was breech and I had to have a c-section, my husband was deployed at the time and she assisted us in skyping the birth so he didn't "miss" anything!

Posted 2/3/2015

tara trotter

Chris Bratton was my doula for my third child. I had an epidural for each of the other births. I wanted to have my babies with as little medications as possible. The first two births my husband and I did not use a doula and had the epidural because of my fears of the birthing process. Chris was able to educate and support my husband and I through the birth. Her use of techniques to support and focus my attention was the key to being successful in our plan for no medications with my third child.

I have known Chris for 20 years and her compassion and desire to assist couples through the birthing process is a passion and joy in her life. Her goal is to communicate with her client to discover their goals for a birth plan and support them through the process. Chris was the perfect person to encourage and support my husband and I to reach our goal for a natural childbirth experience. I am so thankful Chris was there!

Posted 2/3/2015

Debbie Pace Sides

I had an awesome experience with Christal as my Doula/Monitrice in October 2000. I knew Christal from my Sunday School class, and understood how much she enjoyed sharing and learning the art of being there beside a woman as she brought a baby in the world. My birthing plan included a hospital setting and my OB/GYN who was willing to allow me to have Christal, my husband, my mom, and to have a natural childbirth. As my delivery date drew nearer, Christal met with me periodically to measure and listen to the baby. On the morning of October 18th, I woke up around 4 am with contractions that were becoming stronger and closer together. As this was my third child, I knew it could be soon. I called Christal about 4:30 to wake her and tell her it was happening. She told me she would be over as soon as possible. When she checked my dilation, it was at least 3 cm already. My husband and I headed to the hospital with Christal following. My dilation was checked again at 4 cm. The nurses on the floor let us have a nice, bright room that had a shower for me to labor in for a while. Before I changed to a gown, I took a great hot shower that had a hand held nozzle I could direct right at my stomach and back. It felt great. I came out and rocked some on one of Christal’s birthing balls. I was able to handle the contractions because I was so relaxed, I think, and Christal was telling me everything that was going on with the baby and me. When it came time to push, they called my doctor. When he got there, he just stood back and let us proceed, ready to take over when the head crowned. I feel the delivery went great and I would definitely do it that way again. I wish I had used a Doula the first two times!

Posted 2/2/2015

Rachel Woods

I went into labor on October 22, 2013 in the evening. First time being in labor and had no living idea what to expect. I was scared, it hurt, I had no idea how to do this! The hospital asked if I wanted a doula, I said I most certainly did! I got in the shower to help with pain management and triedy hardest to stay calm. Chris walked in oh so calm and relaxed. I had my eyes closed and heard "Rachel, I'm Chris. . ." And she completely took over. I trusted her that very moment. She knew exactly what I needed to hear and how I needed to hear it. She helped the time pass quickly which was so nice. I truly couldn't move from contractions and they never let up She never left my side. After however many hours of these awful contractions that wouldn't let up I asked for an epidural. She stayed in the room while my family left and I was finally in the sitting position. I laid my head on her chest and she felt like my Mother. Even after the epidural she never left my side and we cracked jokes and realized how well we got along. I don't think I could have gone through the birth of my son without her. Im looking forward to having her help and support for my next birth. shes family and I love her.

Posted 2/2/2015

Jonnelle Rochelle Iversen

It was my honor to be present at the birth of my great granddaughter on November 24, 2006. The whole birthing experience that day was such a positive, awe inspiring one. Much of the credit for the “success” of the blessed event goes to Christal Bratton, who was my granddaughter’s Doula. She had prior to delivery day championed the naturalness of childbirth and been an educational resource for the mommy to be. On delivery day her calm, assured manner set the tone from the outset. She was the director of the play so-to-speak yet she was clearly connected to and in tune with the first time new mother. At one point Christal gently but forcefully thinned the crowd in the room, something that the mommy wanted but was hesitant to request for fear of offending family. She expressed her gratefulness to Christal for acting on her unspoken need/desire. Throughout the day Christal performed ministrations to the mommy coaching her through her labor, warmly answered questions, gave information as needed, and interacted genially with the hospital on duty personnel. At Christal’s signal when the midwife came in at the very end to make the actual delivery Christal continued assisting the mommy and the rapport between Doula and Midwife was cordial and professional. In her role as Doula Christal informed, comforted, inspired, empowered, and encouraged my granddaughter on one of the most important days of her life and I had the privilege of observing it firsthand.

Posted 2/1/2015

Bailey Brown

I gave birth to my baby girl in March of 2014, Chris was an amazing birth coach. When she came in the room my contractions were getting pretty strong, she knew exactly what to say and do to get me through them until the epidural took place. When it was time to push Chris was right there by my side to cheer me on. I would recommend Chris to anyone she is an amazing person and makes your birthing experience the best it could be.